Page 16 of Just One Season
And… is his towelslipping?
He doesn’t seem concerned.
A few of the other guys chuckle, and I open my mouth to say something, anything, but words have left the building.
With much effort, I swallow, my burning face about to catch flames. Which might be a blessing. Then I could burn to ashes and cease to exist in this world and therefore not have to face this man or any of the Blizzard players.
“Are you looking for someone? I think Atticus is still in the showers.” Kellen gestures behind him.
“Oh sweet baby Jesus.” I didn’t even think of that. What if my little brother walks through that doorway butt-ass naked? I see him in a towel on the regular since moving into his apartment, but I can’t handle his bare ass.
Or worse.
“Pretty lady, are you okay?” one of the fully clothed players asks me, but I cannot rip my eyes from Kellen’s face.
“I have a… uh… a meeting. With the coach. Coach, uh, Coach Jackson…” I back up slowly, like I’m escaping from a bear without turning my back to it. That’s what you’re supposed to do with bears, right? Back away slowly, not run. But I’m not a hiker, so how would I know that? Maybe you’re supposed to sprint as fast as you can.
It’s then that I notice the coach’s office through a clear glass wall.
Ah. I understand now. His office is through the men’s locker room, and if I hadn’t come early, I probably wouldn’t have experienced any naked men. Or as many.
“Door to his office is this way.” Kellen nods behind him. “I can take you to him.” He raises his eyebrows and lowers his hand from the doorframe, crossing his arms instead and emphasizing his biceps and forearms.
I swallow with a loud, dry click that must echo against the lines of player cubbies.
Why wouldn’t Lina warn me about this? Why wouldn’t she specifically tell me that the head coach’s office is through the hockey players’ locker room? I feel betrayed.
“I’m just gonna go.” My feet finally cooperate, and I spin around and slam against the door, which doesn’t budge. “Oh no. No, no, no.” I push harder. Nothing happens. Am I somehow locked in here?
“Lucy,” Kellen calls. “You gotta pull, not push.”
I squeak and manage to pull the door open and fall out, leaving a locker room full of laughing men behind me.
I sprint down the hallway and dart into my office, slamming the door shut and wishing there was a lock. With a shaking hand, I tap my phone until I get to Raleigh’s contact.
“Lulu?” she answers immediately.
“I saw naked hockey player ass.” I close my eyes and lean my forehead against the door. Remnants of terror seep into my stomach and make me want to throw up.
“Finally!!” She laughs. “But I’m gonna need more details than that. Hold on, let me take my break.” Her voice goes muffled for a beat.
“Hurry, I’m dying.” Visions of naked ass, abs, and Kellen Bassey leaning against a doorframe in a low-slung towel fly through my head.
It’s not a terrible vision.
“Okay, tell me in great detail what happened.”
“Raleigh, I walked into the locker room. Full of hockey players. Mostly naked hockey players. It was horrific.”
“That sort of sounds likea dream.”
“No, it wasn’t!”
“Did you see all the goods?”
I gasp. “Thankfully, no.”
“Aw. I could really benefit from seeing hockey player ass, or dick, or any body parts.” She laughs and it’s infectious.
